Chelsea’s points total compared to last November shows they’re actually not missing Cole Palmer

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea head into the November international break in good stead, despite missing star man Cole Palmer for most of the season.

This time last year, Enzo Maresca was just settling into life at Stamford Bridge having arrived in the summer.

12th and sixth-place finishes in the two seasons prior meant fans were going to be happy with any visible Chelsea improvement. And they got one.

The Blues were in third after 11 weeks of action, losing just twice. Palmer started the season on fire, scoring seven and assisting five in that span.

This season, it’s been three league appearances so far as Palmer has been sidelined with a groin injury. But Chelsea find themselves in a decent position despite their talisman’s absence.

Chelsea a point better off this season despite losing Cole Palmer

Maybe it’s the new signings. Maybe it’s Maresca having a season under his belt. Maybe it’s the squad being a year older.

It’s probably a mix of all three.

But after 11 games, Chelsea have 20 points, one more than last campaign.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	ArsenalArsenal	11	8	2	1	20	5	15	26
2	Manchester CityManchester City	11	7	1	3	23	8	15	22
3	ChelseaChelsea	11	6	2	3	21	11	10	20
4	SunderlandSunderland	11	5	4	2	14	10	4	19
5	TottenhamTottenham	11	5	3	3	19	10	9	18

Palmer recently made the FIFPRO World XI. You would think losing a player of that calibre would spell trouble for the Blues, but they have coped well in his absence.

Additionally, they are competing in a much more challenging European competition, making their improvement from last campaign all the more impressive.

The gap to leaders Arsenal is also smaller than the one to eventual winners Liverpool last year.

A full-strength Chelsea can challenge at the top

By Christmas last season, Chelsea were in second place, and talks of a title charge were beginning to reverberate around Stamford Bridge.

A slump at the turn of the new year killed off those hopes, but this current Chelsea side look far less likely to be impacted by droughts like the one Palmer went through.

• READ MORE: Bukayo Saka is doing something this season that Cole Palmer could never get away with at Chelsea

If Chelsea are this good without their attacking fulcrum, they can only expect to improve when he finally returns. Maresca says Palmer should be back very soon

The international break offers a chance to reflect on the season, and Chelsea’s — while undoubtedly frustrating at times — has offered plenty of encouragement that they can challenge for major silverware.